THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 18, 1995 TAG: 9506160158
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 310 lines
Thirty years ago, my husband was fishing off the coast of Maine. When he was preparing to bring his trawler, the Anthony-Anne, back to Portsmouth, he performed a big favor for the city - he towed the Lightship from Maine to Portsmouth.
Portsmouth had wanted the lightship but couldn't afford to have it towed here. When my husband read about the situation in the paper, he called the man in charge of the project, Frank Kirby, and signed on for the job, with a hurricane brewing.
I agree with the editorial in a recent Currents that stated, ``The lightship is a treasure and doesn't get the local publicity afforded to other public places and any notion of destroying the Lightship certainly ought to be dropped. . . ''
I second the motion!
Dot Penello
Replica Lane
May 22, 1995 Cemetery better now
I wrote two letters to the editor, Feb. 24, 1985, and June 6, 1993, directed to Kenny Wimbrough and the workers at Lincoln Cemetery, about how heartsick I was about our black history that laid below the river.
I mentioned our most important lawyers, clergymen, funeral directors, doctors and statesmen were buried there. I wrote there was no other cemetery in the city of Portsmouth that looked like Lincoln. I also wrote about the driveways to the graves so full of water and holes, a car could hardly drive through.
I also wrote I didn't know about others who owned plots there, but I visited mine and put flowers on the graves of my loved ones who meant so much to me.
Yes, we all loved them. We bought plots when it was the only black cemetery so when we passed, we could have a resting place there.
Why leave Lincoln and go in other cemeteries when it was also chosen by our parents to be buried in the city where we were raised? Like other families at other cemeteries, we bought the best stones, gravel and flowers.
Riding down Deep Creek Boulevard, I asked had readers noticed the Lincoln ``river?'' Was that what you called a memorial?
Although the cemetery is privately owned, lots and gravesites are paid for by its patrons.
I had asked the owner to drain the water, repair the driveways and fill them with gravel and stones.
Driving down Deep Creek Boulevard you can now see clean fences, trees and grass and see all the way to Lincoln Cemetery. We now can ride around the driveways, some trees have been removed and drains put in. There are three ways in and out of the cemetery. This year, I sat in my car and watched people walking around the cemetery. I even noticed a few rakes and hoes and people cleaning their loved ones' gravesites.
It brought tears to my eyes to know that someone really did care after all.
Kenny Wimbrough (and workers), I take my hat off to you for trying to improve Lincoln Cemetery. I know you are tired of me, but I will be there to watch as long as I live.
We still love Lincoln.
Marion Brown Walker
Deep Creek Boulevard
June 5, 1995 Get picture, Portsmouth
Over the past month Portsmouth citizens are still in a wind storm. Some are confused and others just don't believe what they hear anymore. Sparks flying, attitudes rising and everyone is trying to put their two-cents worth in. Well, let me drop a dime's worth.
Portsmouth just doesn't get the picture. The NAACP along with
federal agencies is watching Portsmouth's every move. First of all, someone had a notion that minorities don't want a $20,000 job (which soon will be $23,015). I think we are overlooking our resources. I've done extensive research and I've found six black males, including myself and one black female, that were processed and ready to serve their community.
Let's get the facts first before anyone points a finger. I know of one applicant who addressed the City Council in reference to the hiring practice the city uses and no one challenged him. I guess it was true. He pointed out that the city doesn't inform the public on its changing rules and policies. Again, no one challenged that, either.
Recently, the City of Portsmouth hired approximately seven firefighters and no one was supposed to know this. So, I know the public wasn't informed.
Face it, Portsmouth, you left the back door open and now the wind storm is coming through. But you still don't get the picture. The majority of City Council members is out for self-satisfaction, and don't intrude in their back yard. The mayor is just there trying to figure this mess out. And the city manager, ``the hero of the hour,'' well. . . no comment. I guess what it will take is a carbon copy of the April 30 storm - a tornado.
Alvin Saunders
Portsmouth
May 17, 1995 Fish somewhere else
We really enjoyed the events at Portside recently with the boats and music. The fireworks were really great. The special events that happen in our city that also brings in extra cash flow, also are great. Things like this make our city look good for the visitors coming from out of town to tour our city.
But what about the Portsmouth residents? After City Hall closes evenings, some of us would wait until the parking lot was cleared, then we would go fishing. It was so nice and peaceful and close to home. We were really enjoying our city, until about two or three weeks ago, we were informed that we could no longer fish there.
Now we have to go and enjoy someone else's city. There is nowhere to go fishing now. We were told paper and litter were being left there. I have seen families there, fathers and mothers teaching their young children how to do something positive instead of home, wondering if drug dealers are trying to coax their child into their way of life.
It was so peaceful there, but now the city has taken it away. Most of the families that went there, I saw them picking up their trash and putting it in their cars. It may have been a handful of us doing this (leaving trash) but why take away the privilege to fish from everyone of us? It's not like bringing tons of toxic waste to the city.
Arcelius and Marie Parker
Gilmerton Avenue
June 10, 1995 Monopoly Center exciting
Thank heavens for visionary people like your contributor Pat Smith (Currents, June 2, ``Monopoly Center''). There is just too little ``whimsy'' in today's rushed lifestyle.
Perhaps Parker Brothers could be induced to study the possibility for serious investment in a Monopoly Center in the old Churchland High School location, and in other locations across the country.
Chinese, Greek, Japanese restaurants, as well as local seafood restaurants, continental and American, chains such as Olive Garden, Outback Steak House, Bennigan's might see great possibilities in such an exciting center.
There is an abundance of local crafters with an enormous variety of artistry and talent to be displayed. The boardwalk would supply a great setting for them.
Those who faithfully buy Lotto tickets every week might like to transfer their allegiance to a lottery whose funds would be seen to impact directly on ``our'' Portsmouth, a lottery devoted to funding such a delightful vision.
Thank you, Ida Kay Jordan, and thank you, Pat Smith, for sharing your dream with us.
Kathleen Stenicka
2805 Acres Road
June 9, 1995 Caring for cats
Concerning the stray cat overpopulation, a wild mother cat had kittens under my tool house recently, and as this happened on my property, I felt responsible to take care of the situation.
A special trap was set for the mother. As a pet lover, myself, a part of me did not want the door to close behind her and I was so sorry when it did. She would only go on to have about four more litters this summer.
I place a ``found'' sign on a tree near a school bus stop in my neighborhood for seven days (the length of time the shelter gives owners to claim their pets before placing them up for adoption or putting them to death). I'm sure no one claimed this poor one-eared creature.
I've tried to find responsible homes for the four kittens, as the shelter already has 60 kittens to place, but it has been difficult.
Many people are not aware of SNAP, Tidewater Humane Neuter and Spay Assistance Program. This organization works with local participating vets spaying and neutering cats for $25 and dogs for $35. They have a payment program for those who cannot pay this all at one time. The number is 623-7729.
I've written to the city manager's office, asking that the overpopulation situation be addressed. People who choose not to have pets are finding it necessary to clean around their front and back doors where strays and other people's pets chose to use that area for toilets.
Many people I have spoken to complain that animal control is not doing its job or the shelter is not doing its job.
They are! It's the individual citizen who is falling short.
Christeen B. Hinton
Leckie Street
June 12, 1995 Thanks to the Simkas
Michael and Veronica Simka, owners of the Cafe Europa in Olde Towne, recently made a generous contribution to the Portsmouth Public Library for the purchase of materials in the field of psychology.
Their contribution is a result of a desire to repay the Portsmouth community for its patronage and support of Cafe Europa. The Simkas chose the library after consulting the Olde Towne Civic League for suggestions as to what causes needed money in Portsmouth. The donation is especially beneficial as it comes at the end of the fiscal year and will be used to upgrade a part of the library's collection which is often neglected but in need of replenishment.
Some of the recent acquisitions include ``De Bono's Thinking Course,'' ``Introduction to Psychology,'' ``Managing Non-Profit Organizations,'' ``Encyclopedia of Mental Health.'' Other items on order include: ``Encyclopedia of the Second World,'' titles on child abuse and the ``Concise Encyclopedia of Psychology.''
Susan H. Burton
Portsmouth Public Library
Main Library
June 9, 1995 Do business at home
A brief stroll through the phone book shows at least a half dozen landscape services in Portsmouth. Perhaps if the school division had let its ``fingers do the walking,'' they might have found one of these firms, rather than hiring a Chesapeake-based company to trim the grounds at James Hurst Elementary.
We might not have much, but we've got lawnmowers. Come on guys, give Portsmouth business a break.
R. Jeffrey Barba
Connor Place
June 8, 1995 Remembering V-J Day
Your V-J Day celebration idea invoked a sense of sentimentality and patriotism for those who served and survived as well as for those of us who can only historically appreciate these events. The music attributable to this era is worth celebrating and the spirit in which each warring country contributed greatly .3]to the classic remembrances of ``Lily Marlene,'' ``Blue Moon,'' ``Edelweiss,'' Edith Piaf, Jimmy Dorsey, Martha Ray, Tokyo Rose, Marlene Deitrich's ``Blue Angel,'' ``Falling in Love Again,'' ``Over There. .
We need to walk or waltz down memory lane with these tunes to soften the reality of war and its ravages and horrors. We need to remember the unity of nations and peoples in their struggle for peace and freedom. We need to remember and honor all who served and helped to fortify the freedoms we enjoy today. We need to celebrate peace while honoring the past.
We, as a town, have a lot of needs that go unaddressed due to lack of unity and vision. Peacetime has perhaps afforded this luxury and pastime with BRAC Commissions and RIFS in a military dependent economy community. A V-J Day festival celebration would shine a light on our town while healing the wounds of war.
I challenge our local VFW, Tidewater Regional Retired Officers Association and other local military organizations to support your idea with your memories and help.
Margaret Lordi
Portsmouth
June 9, 1995 Blunder over Brown
What a blow to learn that Bill Brown has left Portsmouth.
I had looked so forward to his becoming head librarian when Dean Burgess retires. But can he blamed for taking the opportunity in the profession he loves?
The city blundered and I hope is properly remorseful for letting such an asset slip away.
Eleanor Kanter
Harbor Court
June 11, 1995 An April Fool's joke?
I thought it was April Fool's Day in May when I read that Philip Morris had recalled cigarettes because they contained potentially harmful ingredients. Is this not the same industry which was forced last year to disclose a top-secret list of 599 chemicals added to cigarettes, including ammonia and insecticides?
Particularly ironic is the list of potential symptoms cited. According to Philip Morris, the cigarette filters could cause smokers ``eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness, coughing and wheezing.''
Welcome to the club! These are exactly the symptoms which nonsmokers experience when forced to inhale a smoker's filth. The EPA has classified secondhand smoke a ``Class A carcinogen'' on the same level as asbestos, estimating that it kills 50,000 nonsmoking Americans each year.
The industry has been ably assisted by such legislators as State Sen. L. Louise Lucas, who argued forcefully for the Portsmouth smoking ordinance while on City Council but who sold out totally to the tobacco lobby as soon as she reached the General Assembly. She has consistently voted against strong bills to restrict public smoking and is a proven enemy of the public health.
The tobacco industry is the world's largest drug cartel. Until our government treats it as such, it will continue to kill one of every five Americans.
Hilton Oliver
Executive director
Virginia Group to Alleviate Smoking in Public (GASP)
June 7, 1995 Restrain your pet
Well, it's that time of year again and the Postal Service and Humane Society need your help.
Last year, nationwide, nearly 2,800 letter carriers were attacked and injured by dogs or other pets - pets that ``wouldn't hurt a fly.''
You can help protect your letter carrier, meter reader, or newspaper delivery boy or girl this summer by making sure your pet is properly restrained or confined.
Don't think your fence solves the problem - especially if a letter carrier or delivery person has to enter your yard. Please make sure your pet is properly restrained so we can deliver your mail.
Hervey A. Trimyer
Customer Relations, USPS
Norfolk
June 12, 1995 In search of facts
If I read Leah Freeman's letter to the editor correctly, she might well be the one to benefit from the towing incident which she described. I understand the Commerce Bank is across the street from the court buildings on Crawford Street.
She stated in her letter that she was parked on the Crawford Street side of the building. I believe that Commerce Bank is at the corner of High Street and Crawford Street. I shall go down there and examine the signs which might exist telling motorists of parking regulations. It is entirely possible that she was in a parking meter zone. I'll find out if that might be the case.
She said that the total time elapsed was 10 minutes from the time she parked until she discovered her car had been towed. Obviously, she didn't ``feed'' the meter. Did she put a coin in the meter (if there was a meter) or was there time remaining on the meter when she parked, and so to speak she might have finished out someone else's dime's or nickel's worth?
These may seem like trivial questions, but the regulations for parking meters are quite specifically spelled out in the Portsmouth code. The answers to my questions might shed light on the reason her car was towed.
Finally, surely when she got her car back from wherever she got it back, was there indicated the city code violation which she violated?
As a resident of Portsmouth, I do not care for our fair city to leave a bad taste in the mouths of visitors like herself.
Richard Slepin
Riveredge Drive
June 11, 1995 by CNB